ABIA: One killed as gunmen ambush police officers assigned to reps member

The incident happened yesterday around 8:30 PM, resulting in the death of one officer who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while the other officer and their driver managed to escape.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the attack in a statement today emphasizing the Abia State Police Command’s commitment to apprehending those responsible.

The statement detailed that on November 17, 2024, at approximately 8:30 PM, two officers from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 4, Inspector Dunna Jatau and Inspector Bala Mohammed, were ambushed after escorting Hon. Onwusibe in Umuahia.

While driving a police Toyota Hilux vehicle near the Umuahia South Local Government Area Secretariat in Ubakala, they were intercepted by armed men in a tinted Toyota Corolla.

The assailants blocked their path and opened fire, resulting in Inspector Bala Mohammed sustaining fatal injuries at the scene. Inspector Dunna Jatau and the driver escaped unharmed.

Following the attack, police officers conducted an immediate search of the area, launching a comprehensive operation to locate the attackers. Tactical teams have been deployed to track down the fleeing suspects, and an investigation is ongoing.

The Abia State Police Command has pledged to bring the attackers to justice and urged the public to remain calm, stay vigilant, and report any suspicious individuals or vehicles to the nearest police station.

This is the second attack on security personnel in the southeastern state within a week. Recently, unidentified gunmen killed two soldiers from the Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA along the Umuahia-Owerri Road in Abia State.

The military has attributed this attack to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Another incident occurred in May at a military checkpoint in Aba, resulting in the deaths of five soldiers.